[Omayra R]

My family has a 5 month old maltese/yorkie mixed boy. This little thing is super aggressive and surprisingly, physically strong.

I got a behaviorist see him last week. He did a little better after she left, & on for a few days. But today I got the worst attack while bathing him. 🙁 I’m afraid we’re doing something wrong bc he has gotten worse!! He never bit while bathing him.

I can contact the behaviorist and let her know (which I’m going to do tomorrow morning). This is really frustrating, stressful, and upsetting. We want to fix him. He grew in mine and my family’s hearts. We do not want to give up on him.

I’m just hoping there is hope for us. I’m crying here…

[aimee]

Hi Omayra,

This sounds like a very serious problem. I’d recommend that you see a veterinary behaviorist http://www.dacvb.org/about/member-directory/
If you live in a location without a boarded veterinary behaviorist than look here for a veterinarian with special interest in behavior. http://avsabonline.org/resources/find-consult-all/ For some reason the search function isn’t picking up a lot of the people in my area so you may want to scroll through all the listings yourself.

It is of great concern that your dog’s behavior has significantly gotten worsened after the consult. What advice have you been given? Has your pet had a through medical exam including blood work? If this were my dog I’d want to make sure there isn’t a liver shunt considering the breed mix/age group.

If medical causes are ruled out the veterinarian may discuss early intervention with drugs if appropriate.

Good Luck

[USA]

Thanks for trying to help Omayra out aimee.

Omayra, I will be hoping things get better for you and your little one!!!

[Omayra R]

Thank you Aimee.

Before you mentioned a vet, I was thinking of taking him to a holistic vet. I found this lady.. http://www.holisticvet.us/treatments.html I see she treats aggression too.
I took him to a regular vet to get a regular check up, but I’m not sure if he checked his liver.

As for the behaviorist, it was pretty much poke, shhhh, & ignore. If he got too aggressive, pin his body down til he stopped moving and count three seconds.

I held his mouth shut today when he was trying to bite. I’m thinking that was my mistake, bc when I was bathing him he snapped at me when I tried washing his jaw area. I won’t be doing that again. But the other technique helped some, but my sister said it hasn’t. Mind you, I don’t live with them, so it’s kinda hard for me to see every day.

[DogFoodie]

Hi Omayra,

I have no advice to offer, but do believe that Aimee gave you some great direction. She has a great deal of knowledge and experience. I would trust her advice.

What a painful situation you’re in. I hope you find someone who can help you soon. I can’t help but wonder if your pup’s problem is organic in natural as well. Good luck!

Peace, Betsy

[aimee]

Hi Omayra,

Please stop all those techniques mentioned. It is well known that they increase aggression which you unfortunately have discovered. http://vet.osu.edu/assets/pdf/hospital/behavior/trainingArticle.pdf IMO the person you consulted with is responsible for and should beheld liable for the bite. At minimum I’d ask for a full refund. ( Getting off soapbox)

Please download and read the statements on dominance and punishment from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior http://avsabonline.org/resources/position-statements

I took a look at the vet site you linked too… I not convinced she understands behavior as she has classified excessive mounting as hypersexuality which would be a very rare cause. Also though she is a member of many organizations none of them pertain to behavior which leads me to believe she isn’t active in the field.

Being in NY you have a lot of options for a veterinary behaviorist. You may want to shop around a bit as it may be cheaper to go outside of NYC proper.

[aimee]

Betsy and USA,

Thanks for the kind words. I have learned so much about working with aggression due to my teacher… Lil Jack

[Omayra R]

Aimee, thx.

I’m in NJ. I was also recommended nuvet supplements for his carpet chewing behavior. I was told it’s a vitamin deficiency he has.

I will look into those links now. Thank you so much.

[Omayra R]

Oh. Great. I just found one in NJ. 🙂 http://www.animalerc.com/behavior.shtml

[Omayra R]

Thx for the info Aimee. 🙂 I will keep an update.

[aimee]

That looks like an excellent choice! I hope you can get in soon I heard it can sometimes be a wait to see a specialist. If so ask for the name of a trainer Dr Levine would recommend to work with until she can see you. If there are any Karen Prior Clicker trainers in your area that could be a place to start. https://www.karenpryoracademy.com/find-a-trainer?source=hpsb

Carpet chewing .. that could be a lot of things …

Good Luck I look forward to an update!

[Omayra R]

Yeah, I think I’ll hold off on the supplements until I see this new vet. I will def ask her.

I love this dog so very much and will do anything for us to be happy. I can’t find a positive reinforcement behaviorist around my area as of now. I’ll see what this vet says. If anything, she can probably recommend one to me too.

[Melissaandcrew]

First thing is to neuter him. It takes 6-8 wks for the hormones to level out after. There is no fix that works for as ‘ll dogs as they are individuals. What works for one may escalate another. I dont know your family but given the breed and the tiny size I suspect he is spoiled, lol. While waiting to see the specialist restrict his privileges. Do not carry him around, do not allow him on furniture unless he is invited up. No bed sleeping. The idea is to reduce his “Pack status” He obviously has no respect for the humans in the house. He is still a baby and is very fixable at this age..he will escalate to push the limits of what h ed can get away with. The key is to find which method works for him. Some dogs do require physical restraint and intervention, while many simply require a change on behalf of the humans and their interaction.

[Omayra R]

Oh yes. Next month he’s going to get neutered. I was told he has to be 6 months old at least.

[Author]

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